I'm a big fan of these kinda games where you explore an area collect items/level up to fight bosses.
My favorite is Order of Ecclesia for the DS. It was just great gameplay, a decent story, and great art.
I'm kinda unfamiliar with the new games in the genre, so I'd appreciate any suggestions. And is there a community of people who design those games?
Valdis Story is my personal hidden gem favorite. Metroidvania with tons of replayability, 4 characters with different playthroughs and multiple builds, Devil May Cry inspired combat with satisfying combo chains, and it incentivizes replaying boss fights til you learn their patterns fully (though you certainly don't have to in order to beat the game).